OWENSBORO, Ky. (8/19/13) -- Superintendent Nick Brake said at Thursday’s board meeting, the four most pressing needs of the Owensboro Public School system are: creating a competitive salary level for faculty, creating more career and technical education, focusing more on early childhood education, and investing more in the OPS facilities.

Brake proposed that teachers and staff will receive at least a one percent raise within two years and OPS will give “maximum efforts” to stay competitive with Daviess County and other school districts.

The 2012-2013 financial report was also read. In the last school year, OPS had $2.79 million in expenditures, with an ending balance of $15.8 million. A bond of $902,798.88 was paid to keep debt down and a budget work session was proposed to see the actual budgets from each department and where the money is going.

The board discussed that they want to cut expenses, not programs. A debate occurred, talking about whether or not to increases taxes among Owensboro taxpayers. Currently, OPS has a “healthy financial situation”, according to Superintendent Brake, but the tax raise would help pay debts and help give the wage increase to staff.

Superintendent Brake introduced Dr. Fred Carter of the Western Kentucky Administration team, who will visit Brake and OPS four times this year as a mentor to Brake, in his first year, as part of a Superintendent program.

In regards to Brake in his first year as Superintendent, Carter said, “I think the board has chosen wisely.”

The next OPS Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.